One killed in 18-wheeler wreck

SHANNON – A Tennessee man died in a wreck involving two 18-wheelers Monday on Highway 45 Alternate.
Chad Mitchell Blankenship, 32, of Humboldt, Tenn., was airlifted to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo after his 18-wheeler collided with another northbound 18-wheeler in Monroe County between the Okolona and Shannon exits.
Blankenship was driving a red Max Trans truck, while the other driver was in an 18-wheeler from a truck-driver training school. The accident occurred about 11 a.m.
Blankenship was pronounced dead due to multiple trauma at 1:41 p.m. at the hospital, said Monroe County Coroner Alan Gurley.
He was wearing a seat belt and was the only person in his truck.
Officials have not released information about the driver of the other 18-wheeler.
The cab of a Max Trans 18-wheeler was destroyed and the back end of the 18-wheeler from a truck driver training school was damaged in the wreck.
Debris from the Max Trans truck, which was hauling bricks, was scattered across the lane, and traffic was re-routed to the southbound lane of Highway 45 Alternate while crews worked to clean up the debris.
sheena.barnett@journalinc.com